THEA 101 Introduction to Theatre (008) Boise State University Fall 2011 Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9:40-10:30 AM Education Bldg. Room 110 Instructor: Valerie Baugh-Schlossberg Office: Morrison Center 106B Phone: 426-3935 Email: ValerieBaugh-Schlossberg@boisestate.edu Office Hours: By appointment only. Email is the best way to get in touch with me. Course Description Through the study of theatre history, dramatic literature, and the process of play production, students will experience live performances and should learn to participate in a theatre event as discerning, appreciative audience members. This course is a part of the University Core Curriculum. Course Objectives The philosophy of the Core Curriculum states, "Preparing educated, literate people for careers and participation in society is accomplished, in part, as students gain foundational knowledge in English, the arts and humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics." THEA 101, as part of the Core Curriculum, will provide students the opportunity to develop skills in the following areas: (1) Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills: Apply critical analysis to the experience of theatrical performance and dramatic literature; Develop a basic understanding of structure and theme in the context of both performance and dramatic literature; (2) Communication Skills: Formulate and organize an aesthetic response to theatrical performance and be able to articulate that opinion in both verbal and written discourse; (3) Cultural Perspective: Appreciation of theatrical performance and dramatic literature within diverse social contexts; Identify meaningful connections between theatrical productions and plays and the historical contexts in which they emerged throughout Western Civilization; Cultivate an awareness of diverse perspectives and values of others as presented in a variety of plays and productions; Develop an awareness of the ephemeral and communal nature of theatre; (4) Breath of Knowledge and Intellectual Perspective: Apply methodologies and strategies of inquiry specific to the performing arts; Develop a basic understanding of the creative production process essential to the theatre; Recognize similarities, differences, and interrelationships between theatre and allied art forms; Course Learning Outcomes Identify basic components of theatrical production and dramatic structure. Distinguish both the collaborative and individual efforts needed to create a theatrical performance. Recognize similarities, differences, and interrelationships between theatre and other art forms. Evaluate the effectiveness of live theatrical performances. Associate plays with the social and historical contexts in which they were written and performed. Interpret components of theatrical productions and dramatic literature to identify main ideas. Apply subjective experience to understanding theatrical performances and dramatic literature. Investigate diverse cultural perspectives through a variety of dramatic literature and theatrical productions. Value and learn to collaborate effectively in-group situations. 1
Required Textbook The Wadsworth Anthology of Drama; Brief Edition by Worthen (All the plays are located in this book) Required Productions You are also required to obtain tickets and attend two productions from the following selection. For BSU productions tickets are available from any Select-A-Seat on campus. If you are not a full-time student, these tickets must be purchased. Full-time students are allotted one ticket to each production at no charge. Any additional tickets would have to be purchased. Information about tickets can be found at: Boise State University Department of Theatre Arts BSU Department of Theatre Arts Production Calendar Boise Contemporary www.bctheater.org Idaho Shakespeare Festival www.idahoshakespeare.org College of Idaho Theatre Department www.collegeofidaho.edu/academics/theatre Production Review # 1 (Due October 10, 2011 by 5 PM Both hardcopy and Safe Assignment Required) The Idaho Shakespeare Festival The 39 Steps adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow September 2-25 Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 7 PM Boise State University Department of Theatre Arts Champagne Breakfast by Evan Sesek September 22-24 at 7:30 pm, September 25 at 2:00 pm September 28-October 1 at 7:30 pm, October 2 at 2:00 pm Danny Peterson Theatre in the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts Boise Contemporary Theater Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) by Donald Margulies Oct 5 29, 2011 Production Review # 2 (Due December 9, 2011 by 5 PM Both hardcopy and Safe Assignment Required) Boise Contemporary Theater Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) by Donald Margulies Oct 5 29, 2011 Commissioned World Premiere by Samuel D. Hunter November 22- December 17, 2011 Boise State University Department of Theatre Arts Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel November 10-12 at 7:30 pm, November 13 at 2:00 pm November 16-19 at 7:30 pm, November 20 at 2:00 pm Danny Peterson Theatre in the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts The College of Idaho Theatre Arts Department The Hot L Baltimore by Lanford Wilson November 3-5, November 9-12 at 7:30 PM and November 13 at 2 PM. 2
Grading Criteria Exam 1 150 Exam 2 150 Exam 3 150 Production Review # 1 150 Production Review # 2 150 In-Class Work & Attendance 250 (Includes but not limited to Short Assignments/Pop Quizzes/ In-Class Activities) Total: 1000 points Grading Check your grade by clicking on the 'Tools' Button and then clicking the 'My Grades' Option. This is the Grading Scale for this course! 990-1000 A+ 780-799 C+ 921-989 A 721-779 C 900-920 A- 700-720 C- 880-899 B+ 680-699 D+ 821-879 B 600-679 D 800-820 B- 599 or below F Extra Credit There are two different types of extra credit. 1. You may attend local community theatre productions and write a one-page aesthetic response paper for 10 points or professional theatre for 15. 2. You may write an additional 4-5 page production review from the list of approved plays for an additional 50 points maximum. 3. I will at times assign different opportunities for extra credit. These are random and at the will of the instructor. You must be in class to hear about the extra credit. You may receive a total of 50 points extra credit for the semester. Return of Assignments and Projects I will return all projects and assignments within three weeks after the assignment deadline. Please do not ask me about your papers or projects before this time period. This is a large class and I want to be able to have enough time to review your work. Schedule ***Subject to change based on the progress of the class and the evaluation of the instructor. Date Class Topics Readings & PowerPoint s due on the scheduled for class (Additional reading may be assigned as we go throughout the semester) 8/22 Introductions/Syllabus 8/24 Reading and Viewing Plays 8/26 What is Art and the Nature of Theatre Wadsworth Anthology pgs 1-9 8/29 Nature of Theatre continued Wadsworth Anthology pgs 88-99 8/31 Aristotle s Qualitative parts of Tragedy 9/2 Action, Plot, Dramatic Structure Getting to Know You Posting Due by 11:59 PM 9/5 Labor Day NO CLASS 9/7 Theatrical Conventions Read Oedipus pgs. 28-47 9/9 Oedipus Discussion & Activity Due Friday, 9/9 3
9/12 Meet at the Morrison Center (back hallway) Theatrical Spaces PP before class 9/14 Designer s Process Review the PowerPoint before class 9/16 Costume & Makeup Design Review the PowerPoint before class 9/19 Scenic Design Review the PowerPoint before class 9/21 Light, Sound, & Multi-media Review the PowerPoint before class 9/23 Death of a Salesman Discussion & Activity Read Death of a Salesman Due Fri, 9/23 pgs. 729-763 9/26-9/29 Test 1 (All three tests will be taken outside of class time) 9/26 Writing Activity 9/28 Acting Review the PowerPoint before class 9/30 Audition Video In-Class Writing Due by 5 PM 10/3 The Director Review the PowerPoint before class 10/5 10/7 Greek Theatre/ Roman Theatre Wadsworth pgs 13-29, 48-50 10/10 Medieval Theatre Wadsworth Anthology pgs 159-179 Critical Review # 1 due (100 points) 10/12 TBA 10/14 Elizabethan Theatre and the Globe Theatre Wadsworth pgs 185-188 & 181-185 10/17 10/19 Hamlet Activity 10/21 Discovering Hamlet Video 4 Read Hamlet Due Mon, 10/17 pgs 219-264 10/24 Neoclassical Theatre Wadsworth pgs 269-282 10/26 Read Tartuffe, Due Wed, 10/26 Tartuffe Activity 10/28 pgs 310-338 10/31-11/3 Test 2 (All three tests will be taken outside of class time) 10/31 Romantic Theatre TBA 11/2 Modern Theatre Wadsworth pgs. 395-405 11/4 NO CLASS 11/7 Doll s House Activity 11/9 11/11 Alternatives to Modernism: The Ism s Read A Doll s House Due Mon, 11/7 pgs. 411-440 Wadsworth pgs. 405-411 and TBA 11/14 Contemporary Theatre Review the PowerPoint before class 11/16 11/18 Musical Theatre Review the PowerPoint before class 11/21-11/27 Thanksgiving Break NO CLASS 11/28 Diversity TBA 11/30 Devised Theatre 12/2 Fires in the Mirror Activity Read Fires in the Mirror Due Wed, 12/2 pgs. 837-867 12/5 12/7 Eclecticism Activity TBA 12/9 Theatre in Boise TBA 12/10-12/15 Test 3 (All three tests will be taken outside of class time)
Class Policies and Requirements Check Blackboard for information regarding all class requirements. Complete all readings and viewing of productions prior to the date on which they will be covered in lecture or discussed in class. Complete all assignments. Quizzes, Tests, Papers, Activities and Projects. Take three tests. These tests will be taken outside of your regularly scheduled class time. You will have to go to the Computer Testing Lab. Content of these exams will be taken from class content, videos, and required reading. Any work not turned in will be assigned a zero, which is an F. No work will be accepted beyond the communicated deadline (see class schedule) except under extraordinary circumstances acceptable to the instructor or based on prior written notification also acceptable to the instructor. All projects and papers, excluding the in-class quizzes and discussion work, are due no later than 5:00 PM time-stamped in Safe Assignment or the Assignments Section of Blackboard. All written work (with the exception of hand written activities) will be required to be posted in the Blackboard Safe Assignment All written assignments must be typed. Double spaced with 12pt. Font. Un-typed work will not be accepted. Attend 2 required productions and turn in your ticket stub with your paper. Laptops will be allowed in class unless they become distracting to other students or the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to revoke this policy at any time during the course of the semester. Contributing actively and respectfully during class discussions can make for a much more interesting class. Theatre is about what you get from it, so let's talk about it! You need to familiarize yourself with the University s policies on academic misconduct. Plagiarism and cheating is expressly forbidden in the class and will result in an F for the course. If you need accommodations and if you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please give me a copy of your letter of accommodation as soon as possible. If you are not registered, with the Office of Disabilities Services and you feel that you need a special accommodation, let me know as soon as possible. Course Etiquette I ask that you assist me in maintaining the best possible atmosphere for interaction and learning. Please turn all cell phones to silent while in class. In the event of a situation where you need to carry a beeper/cell phone in class, prior notice and approval from me is required If you need to leave class early, please be respectful and leave as quietly and discreetly as possible. 5
Academic Honesty Below, is included text from two sections of the Student Code of Conduct that pertain to this course. If you are caught cheating on any coursework you will automatically receive an F grade for the semester and the incident will be referred to the Student Conduct Program. Read these carefully: Article 4, Section 1 Academic Dishonesty A violation may include cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty. All assignments submitted by a student must represent her/his own ideas, concepts, and current understanding or must cite the original source. Academic dishonesty includes assisting a student to cheat, plagiarize, or commit any act of academic dishonesty. Attempts to violate academic integrity do not have to be successful to be considered academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes turning in substantial portions of the same academic work to more than one course without the prior permission of the faculty members. Section 18A Cheating The term cheating includes any action where an individual or group either carries out or attempts to carry out dishonest work and/or where an individual or group either assists or attempts to assist an individual or group to carry out dishonest work. If students are uncertain whether an action constitutes cheating, they have a responsibility to ask the faculty member for the course for clarification. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: 1. using or providing any unauthorized assistance in class assignments, standardized tests, credential tests, and professional licensing tests; 2. unauthorized copying of class assignments such as examinations before, during, or after the assignment, either for your own use or for the use of others. 3. having someone else complete a class assignment in your place; 4. completing a class assignment for someone else; 5. collaborating on an assignment unless it has been explicitly permitted by the faculty member; 6. depending on or providing the aid of sources not authorized by the faculty member in preparing for exams, writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; 7. acquiring, without permission, any assignment or other academic material belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff; 8. creating, keeping, or using unauthorized collections of assignments; 9. turning in substantial portions of the same academic work to more than one course without the prior permission of the faculty members; 10. plagiarizing (see section 18B). Section 18B Plagiarism The term plagiarism at its most basic level means to steal someone else s words, composition, research, and/or ideas. Plagiarism is both cheating and theft. Given the seriousness of this offense, students have a responsibility to understand its meaning and implications for the academic community. Plagiarism can be committed in any type of assignment. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to: 1. the use by direct quotation of another person s work, published or unpublished, without clearly setting off the quotation and/or without full and clear acknowledgment; 2. the use by paraphrase of another person s work, published or unpublished, without full and clear acknowledgment; 3. the use of another person s ideas, arguments, and/or thesis from a published or unpublished work without full and clear acknowledgment; 4. the use of another person s research from a published or unpublished work without full and clear acknowledgment; 5. the use of materials prepared by a person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. 6